Have enjoyed listening to Mick this year since joining Grandstands coverage. What stood out to me today was his no-nonsense calling out of Selwoods ducking (it was a little diplomatic) and in general Geelongs tendencies to play for free kicks.

Rather than pointing the finger directly at the players, he consistently made mention of “poor umpiring”.

Love him or loathe him, the man is very knowledgeable and would be a worthy inclusion to the AFL administration of rules.

I thank him for Jeff Garlett in exchange for a packet of chips

.......and i reckon that Blues would have been up further with him there against the old boys Club!!!

FMD! Not a fan.

Well . . . let's face it. It take a p&%#k to know a p&%#k. Thank goodness he never coached us. 

No.

Coaches have no idea about what's best for the game.

They know what's best for their team, and will lean on it and lean on it until the AFL gives way and makes it law.

If coaches could have their Christmas wish lists fulfilled, there would be no bouncing of the ball while running with it, no marking, no handpassing (only throwing), the ball would be round, there would be 60 players on the ground at all times with mandatory interchange every 30 seconds.

Malthouse is an ex-coach which makes him only half credible.

i was listening to the commentary too at the game (which, by the by, is regularly the best blockbuster this side of queen's birthday and anzac eve) - he was super scathing about the constant staging for free kicks and complaining to the maggots

i couldn't believe how much energy the geelong players expended on demanding free kicks / complaining about lack of free kicks

geelong irritate the bejesus out of me

In my opinion Selwood's technique of "drawing a free" by dropping his knees and raising his arm so that the tackle shifts neck high should not be rewarded with a free. Others may have a different opinion. However so long as its allowed others in the comp will try it. The whole point of the rule is to protect players from injury not encourage them to draw a tackle to their neck. So if Mick is against playing for frees good on him. 

 

 

10 minutes ago, Robbie57 said:

In my opinion Selwood's technique of "drawing a free" by dropping his knees and raising his arm so that the tackle shifts neck high should not be rewarded with a free.

Start of last season, the AFL put on their web site some videos illustrating how certain frees would be "interpreted".

And guess what, one of them was the Selwood-style ducking. New interpretation: no free kick will be paid if the player ducked into or caused high contact.

And guess what again, under the "good bloke", "champion of the game" interpretation, the rule has been forgotten and Selwood can again do it freely.

The AFL has the memory of a goldfish. And their laws are a mess.

Just now, Mazer Rackham said:

 

And guess what again, under the "good bloke", "champion of the game" interpretation, the rule has been forgotten and Selwood can again do it freely.

The AFL has the memory of a goldfish. And their laws are a mess.

Spot on. I am also tired of Ablett complaining about the attention he gets to the umpires.  At least Channel 7 are onto it, every time a free is awarded against Geelong or Ablett doesn't get one they immediately cut to which ever Scott brother coaches Geelong who is pulling a shocked face. 

I suspect if Malthouse was put in charge of the umpires we'd pretty quickly have a severe shortage of umpires. Malthouse's approach is "do it my way or not at all". Given umpiring is part-time, why would someone with another job not take the option of quitting? 

2 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I suspect if Malthouse was put in charge of the umpires we'd pretty quickly have a severe shortage of umpires. Malthouse's approach is "do it my way or not at all". Given umpiring is part-time, why would someone with another job not take the option of quitting? 

True, somewhat. An experienced umpire will get north of $100k for the season. Not bad for a 'part time' job

How is Malthouse going to incorporate his favourite line. ". ....... seem to think it's their grand final "  into his umpiring role ??  God I was tired of hearing that crap trotted out every year.